Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) have become a widely recognized symbol of the winter holiday season. Originating in Mexico and Central America, this species is now the most economically important potted plant sold across the United States and Canada during the late months of the year. While the traditional perception focuses on a single shade, professional horticulture has developed a spectacular array of over a hundred distinct cultivars. These varieties offer an expansive palette that extends far beyond the familiar shade.
Understanding the Colorful Parts
The structures that display the poinsettia’s vibrant hues are not true flower petals, but rather specialized leaves known as bracts. These bracts are modified foliage that changes color to attract pollinators to the plant’s reproductive structures. The color change is triggered by photoperiodism, which is the biological response to changes in the length of daylight and darkness.
The true flowers are tiny, inconspicuous structures clustered in the center of the bracts. These small, yellow-green buds are called cyathia. A poinsettia will maintain its vibrant bract color for a longer period if the cyathia are unopened when the plant is purchased.
The Main Color Spectrum
The foundational color groups of the modern poinsettia market are based on solid coloration across the bracts. Red varieties remain the most popular choice, encompassing a wide range of tones from brilliant scarlet to deep crimson and burgundy shades. The red color is largely due to high concentrations of plant pigments called anthocyanins. Specialized red cultivars like ‘Prestige Red’ and ‘Advent Red’ are widely recognized for their intense, classic holiday hues.
The second core group is the White and Cream spectrum. True, pure white poinsettias are rare; most commercially available varieties are more accurately described as ivory, cream, or pale yellow. Cultivars such as ‘Glace’ or ‘Alaska’ provide a pristine, sophisticated look that blends well with cooler decorating themes. These lighter-toned varieties are often used as a base color for the application of specialty dyes and glitter.
Pink poinsettias make up the third major category. These hues span a considerable range, from soft, pastel salmon shades to richer, saturated colors like deep rose and bright magenta. Breeders have developed pink varieties that hold their color well throughout the season, allowing for softer, more romantic decorative displays.
Variegated and Specialty Hues
Beyond the solid colors, the poinsettia market includes patterned and novelty varieties created through careful hybridization. Variegated poinsettias feature two colors blended or streaked across the same bract, often giving the appearance of marbling. The ‘Ice Punch’ cultivar, for instance, displays a bright white or cream center that bleeds into a fuchsia or deep red edge.
Other patterned types include speckled and flecked varieties, where a contrasting color appears as small dots or dashes across the main bract color. A classic example is ‘Sonora White Glitter,’ which features a red base color dusted with white speckles, making the plant look snow-dusted. These patterned varieties provide a dynamic visual texture that solid-colored plants cannot achieve.
Specialty colors represent the farthest reach of modern breeding, introducing entirely non-traditional hues. This category includes varieties in shades of orange, peach, and lemon yellow, which are sometimes marketed for the autumn season. Cultivars like ‘Lemon Glow’ or ‘Autumn Leaves’ feature warmer tones, often displaying a mix of peach, yellow, and subtle pink.